HELP PLEASE ,I have a win. model 70 stainless classic, and I need some help on a scope decision,I'm considering the following scopes
zeiss conquest 1.8-5.5x38
zeiss conquest 2.5-8x32
leupold vx3 1.75x6x32 ,would like to use Q.D.talley rings or something without a ring ext. if possible.
leupold vx 2.5-8x36, any suggestions would be apprec. I will be using this setup for brown bear this fall in alaska . thanks.

I have the exact rifle and put the Leupold VX-3 you described on it with the Leopold QD rights, bases. Love it. It has been to AK and Africa--not a moments problem anywhere.

Have fun, good luck!

Jerry

I too have the same rifle but mounted a Zeiss 3-9x40 MC with Leupold QR rings on it. The rifle is a bit nose heavy because of the heavy barrel contour. May be a bit much magnification for very close quarters.

I think this rifle was designed to be shot from sticks and as such is very stable when used with them.

I have the 1.8-5.5 Zeiss, 1.5-5x Leupold, 1.75-6x Leupold, and 2.5-8x Leupold on other rifles that have lighter and/or shorter barrels.

I would not recommend the 2.5-8 Leupold for low light or fast moving rifles. I would not recommend the 1.5-5x Leupold for low light conditions.

The Zeiss scopes are heavier but very clear, transfer a lot of light, and are very hardy.

If weight is a concern the 1.75-6x Leupold is a great scope but is a little short for some installations. If weight is not an issure, the Zeiss scopes are superb. I tend to use the 1.8-5.5x Zeiss for larger caliber, shorter rifles that I want to move quickly under field conditions.

As a long-time Leupold bigot, I say get the Zeiss 2.5x-8x.

The power range is ideal (I use leupold 2.5x-8x on my .375, but I bought it for Africa), so you're good for 200yd. shots right on down to your boot tops.

Light transmission will be superior to the Leupold, and that could be a critical factor if it is raining.

The eye relief must suit you however. No one wants to be clipped by a scope.

Shoot the rifle a lot so as to shake out any bugs PRIOR to leaving for your hunt.

George

quote:

Posted 17 November 2008 20:03 Hide Post
As a long-time Leupold bigot, I say get the Zeiss 2.5x-8x.

George - shame on you - do you realize that you could be drawn and quartered for words advising against leupold

My 22' barreled Stainless Classic sports an old school 1.5x5 Leupold. Super light (easy on mounts) and good eye releaf. QR mounts and about all the power you need for a 375.

A very important thing not mentioned is having a lighted reticle ....... A 30 mm 1.5-5 with the circle dot reticle is a brown bear scope extraordinaire .......

quote:

Originally posted by gumboot458:
A very important thing not mentioned is having a lighted reticle ....... A 30 mm 1.5-5 with the circle dot reticle is a brown bear scope extraordinaire .......

Does Alaska allow lit reticules? I know that Idaho does not. With as much daylight as Alaska has I don't understand the need for a lit reticule.

The Zeiss Conquest 2.5-8x32 is my recommendation. I have this scope on both a .375 H&H and .416 Rigby.

quote:

Originally posted by butchloc:

quote:

Posted 17 November 2008 20:03
As a long-time Leupold bigot, I say get the Zeiss 2.5x-8x.

George - shame on you - do you realize that you could be drawn and quartered for words advising against leupold

Butch,

Yes, I am familiar with the 'Leupold above all others' mantra , but two important things have happened in the past few years: the price of Zeiss optics has come way down, and they increased their eye relief to 4".

Leupold has improved their mid-range scopes, but has not improved their V-X III line.

I still have sixteen Leupolds and only six Zeiss scopes, but I will buy Zeiss in the future.

George

I have the VX-3 1.5-5 with the heavy duplex Reticule, with the Illuminated center crosshairs on one of my Lotts and just picked up a 1-4 leapold in Tulsa for my Marlin Guide gun in 45-70 but may put it on one of the lotts. The only problem I have with your choices in zeiss conquest 1.8-5.5x38 or the zeiss conquest 2.5-8x32 is I don’t have them. I think all are good choices for bear. I think if you can use a Illuminated Reticule it would be a good choice for low light conditions as it gives good contrast and will be easier to see on your target.
Bill

quote:

Originally posted by jwp475:

quote:

Originally posted by gumboot458:
A very important thing not mentioned is having a lighted reticle ....... A 30 mm 1.5-5 with the circle dot reticle is a brown bear scope extraordinaire .......

Does Alaska allow lit reticules? I know that Idaho does not. With as much daylight as Alaska has I don't understand the need for a lit reticule.

... Yes they are legal .. No Lasers tho .. Fall Brown bear is often times taken along fish criks at near dark ,in the rain ,in a rain forest at near dark with a bear that is sometimes black or nearly so to start with .... Plus the lighted dot really helps focus the concentration on one spot on the bear .....

I dissagreeing with the idea of a lighted reticle I used a 1.75x6 leupold Mk4 30mm tactical on my work M4 I took it off because I found out the lots of the time the lighted reticle washed out the target and all one would see is the reticle.

I know use just a plain 1.75x 6 MK 4 tactical with out the lighted reticle.

Have the power turned up a hair to far or the wrong light condistions and all you well see is the reticle and no target not good when one really has to shoot something. Plus one has to worry about batterys going dead ect extra weight.

For me it would be the leupold with a bit thicker cross hair.

Take the Swarovski Z6i 1,7-10x42 - best scope for that task!!!

quote:

Originally posted by p dog shooter:
I dissagreeing with the idea of a lighted reticle I used a 1.75x6 leupold Mk4 30mm tactical on my work M4 I took it off because I found out the lots of the time the lighted reticle washed out the target and all one would see is the reticle.

I know use just a plain 1.75x 6 MK 4 tactical with out the lighted reticle.

Have the power turned up a hair to far or the wrong light condistions and all you well see is the reticle and no target not good when one really has to shoot something. Plus one has to worry about batterys going dead ect extra weight.

For me it would be the leupold with a bit thicker cross hair.

....

My recommendation for a circle dot lighted reticle on a rifle for fall brown bear in Coastal Alaska . Was from experience with brown bear in the fall in coastal Alaska . mostly without , but also with lighted reticules...Lighted works best ........
Keeping a spare battery for the lighted reticules could not be considered an overly burdensome task .If one isn,t strong enough to pack the extra 1 oz of scope weight , one isn,t strong enough to live,, let alone hunt brown bear on a fish crik at dark in a rain forest Perhaps 100 miles away from outside help or 15 water miles away from communication ....... My aching ass , extra weight ... somebody needs to man up ...